MCK – Odyssey Questions and Answers Rated A

MCK – Odyssey Questions and Answers Rated A narrative poem a poem that tells a story Flashback a scene or event from the past that appears in a narrative out of chronological order, to fill in information or explain something in the present Chronological order Arranged In Or According To Order Of Time Or Events dactylic hexameter A form of meter in poetry traditionally associated with the quantitative meter of classical epic poetry Odyssey and Virgil's Aeneid. A poetry in which a line consists of six feel in the pattern stressed, unstressed, unstressed,etc. Homer ancient Greek epic poet who is believed to have written the Iliad and the Odyssey (circa 850 BC) direct characterization the writer tells us directly what a character's personality is like indirect characterization the character is revealed through their personality, appearance, words, actions, and effect on others rhapsode a traveling poet, a minstrel, usually very skilled in history as well as story telling Penelope (Greek mythology) the wife of Odysseus and a symbol of devotion and fidelity guile slyness and cunning in dealing with others Zeus (Greek mythology) the supreme god of ancient Greek mythology Lotus Eaters Legendary people visited by Odysseus, they live on a plant whose fruit induces stupor and forgetfulness of home Aeolus god of the winds in ancient mythology Suitors Men who live in Odysseus house trying to force Penelope to pick one for marriage Hades (Greek mythology) the god of the underworld in ancient mythology Cicones People of southern Thrace, who lived on the coast of the Aegean Sea. They were allies of Troy during the Trojan War and their city, Ismarus, was raided by Odysseus and his crew on their way home after the war. Laestrygonians Monstrous cannibal giants who lived in Telepylus. They destroy all of Odysseus' fleet except his own ship and eat all of his men except his crew. Trojan War a ten-year war waged by the confederated Greeks under Agamemnon against the Trojans to avenge the abduction of Helen, wife of Menelaus, by Paris, son of the Trojan king Priam, and ending in the plundering and burning of Troy. monotheism belief in a single God Xenia Greek concept of hospitality, or generosity and courtesy shown to those who are far from home. It is often translated as "guest-friendship" because the rituals of hospitality created and expressed a reciprocal relationship between guest and host. Paris betrayed this with Menelaus because he took Helen. Nostos the return; homecoming (this is the major theme of this epic) Bildungsroman a type of novel concerned with the education, development, and maturing of a young protagonist. Priam (Greek mythology) the last king of Troy Sparta an ancient Greek city famous for military prowess, Greek city-state that was ruled by an oligarchy, focused on military, used slaves for agriculture, discouraged the arts Hubris excessive pride or arrogance that results in the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy Helios god of sun; asks Zeus to punish Odysseus' men for eating cattle Hermes (Greek mythology) messenger and herald of the gods Laertes (Greek mythology) the father of Odysseus Polyphemus One of the Cyclopes (uncivilized one-eyed giants) whose island Odysseus comes to soon after leaving Troy. Polyphemus imprisons Odysseus and his crew and tries to eat them, but Odysseus blinds him through a clever ruse and manages to escape. In doing so, however, Odysseus angers Polyphemus's father, Poseidon. Poseidon (Greek mythology) the god of the sea and earthquakes in ancient mythology Scylla (Greek mythology) a sea nymph transformed into a sea monster who lived on one side of a narrow strait; she devours six men, one for each of her heads Sirens Half bird/half women. Their seductive song lures sailors to their deaths. Telemachus Odysseus' son Tiresias A blind Theban prophet who inhabits the underworld. He meets Odysseus when Odysseus journeys to the underworld in Book 11. He shows Odysseus how to get back to Ithaca and allows Odysseus to communicate with the other souls in Hades. Epic a long narrative poem written in elevated style which present the adventures of characters of high position and episodes that are important to the history of a race or nation en medias res describes a narrative that begins not at the beginning of a story, but somewhere in the middle, usually at some crucial point in the action oral tradition Literature that passes by word of mouth from one generation to the next. polytheism belief in multiple Gods invocation the act of invoking or calling upon a deity, spirit, etc., for aid, protection, inspiration, or the like; supplication. Used in the beginning of the Odyssey Muses Nine sisters who give song and inspiration to humanity; daughters of Zeus and Mnemonsyne (Memory) Homeric Simile an extended simile which compared something familiar to Homer's audience to something unfamiliar, such as an unusually large or heroic action Homeric Formula common, repeated expression, helped with memorization Epithets Short, descriptive tags attached to characters' names. Often used to describe a character's personality or traits. myth Traditional story that is rooted in a particular culture, is basically religious, and usually serves to explain a belief, a ritual, or a mysterious natural phenomenon. Hector (Greek mythology) a mythical Trojan who was killed by Achilles during the Trojan War Menelaus King of Sparta, brother of Agamemnon, and husband of Helen, he helped lead the Greeks in the Trojan War. Paris Son of Priam, king of Troy. Probably the best-known was his elopement with Helen, queen of Sparta. This caused the Trojan War. Odysseus The protagonist of the Odyssey. He fought among the other Greek heroes at Troy and now struggles to return to his kingdom in Ithaca. He is the husband of Queen Penelope and the father of Prince Telemachus. Though a strong and courageous warrior, he is most renowned for his cunning. He is a favorite of the goddess Athena, who often sends him divine aid, but a bitter enemy of Poseidon, who frustrates his journey at every turn. Achilles Greatest Greek warrior, husband of Briseis whom Agamemnon steals, only vulnerable place is his heel, prophecy that he would die in the Trojan war, which he does at the hand of Paris Agamemnon Son of Atreus, brother of Menelaus, husband of Clytemnestra, and king of Mycenae. Elected commander in chief of the Greeks in the Trojan War. When war was over, he sailed home where he was murdered by Aegisthus and Clytemnestra. Odysseus speaks to his spirit in Hades. Alcinoos King of the Phanecians who offers Odysseus hospitality in Scheria.Provides ships and crew for return Antinous The most arrogant of Penelope's suitors. Antinous leads the campaign to have Telemachus killed. Unlike the other suitors, he is never portrayed sympathetically, and he is the first to die when Odysseus returns. Argos Odysseus' ancient dog who dies just after recognizing his master has returned. Athena (Greek mythology) goddess of wisdom and useful arts and prudent warfare Calypso The beautiful nymph who falls in love with Odysseus when he lands on her island-home of Ogygia. Calypso holds him prisoner there for seven years until Hermes, the messenger god, persuades her to let him go. Charybdis Monster in the form of a giant whirlpool, located across from Scylla Circe The beautiful witch-goddess who transforms Odysseus's crew into swine when he lands on her island. With Hermes' help, Odysseus resists Circe's powers and then becomes her lover, living in luxury at her side for a year. Eumaeus The loyal shepherd who, along with the cowherd Philoetius, helps Odysseus reclaim his throne after his return to Ithaca. Even though he does not know that the vagabond who appears at his hut is Odysseus, Eumaeus gives the man food and shelter. Eurylochus comrade of Odysseus on yhe voyage home from Troy; one who told Odysseus that their comrades were turned into swine by Circe; also provoked men to eat Helios' cattle Eurymone housekeeper in Ithaca for Penelope who remained loyal Helen Daughter of Zeus and Leda. She was the beautiful wife of Menelaus whose abduction by Paris was the cause of the Trojan War. Anticlea Odysseus' mother; Odysseus meets her in Hades, where he learned she had died longing for him digression a temporary departure from the main subject in speaking or writing.